The third event in the CorkO Autumn League attracted 62 orienteers to the Regional Park Ballincollig on Tuesday night. The changeable weather that we've been experiencing of late meant that participants didn't quite know what to expect on the night but as this was to be the penultimate evening orienteering event of the year this didn't discourage our zealous supporters. Thankfully all those who ventured to the event got to enjoy a very pleasant bright and dry evening in the park.

Furthermore the planner set out two great courses which took competitors too many of the scenic and historic features in the park and required some careful map reading along the way. This park is constantly evolving and even since our last visit there were some noticeable differences in the terrain and landscape on Tuesday night.

The Short course took participants on an enjoyable trail along some of the major paths and trails while the Long course had competitors running alongside the canal and river Lee as they navigated their way around the course. The Long course began by taking contestants towards the western end of the map and participants needed to pay close attention to the map detail when choosing some of their routes in this area. On the leg from 4 to 5 the direct approach across the soccer pitches might have initially looked like the most obvious route here but upon closer examination the high stone wall which intersected this route would prove difficult to surmount. No doubt some folks only realised this issue when they encountered it head on and wasted precious time having to run around it. Controls 7 and 12 were also positioned on the northern side of walls and again contestants needed to ensure they approached these from the correct direction.

Having punched 11 controls Long course participants were right back at the centre of the map and then got to enjoy a lovely run to the eastern end of the map crossing the canal on two separate occasions. On these crossing some may have noticed that the water levels were substantially higher now when compared against those witnessed during our June visit to this location.

This wonderful urban amenity is becoming increasing popular and to prevent our control units attracting any unwanted attention from inquisitive passers-by the planner positioned some of them in a number of discrete locations. In fact at a number of control sites such as 3, 17 and 20 participants were standing right at the control feature and still struggled to spot the control kite. The Long course on Tuesday provided a good test of navigation and speed but who balanced these skills correctly on the night to emerge as the event winner?

Heading into the event Jens Waechter had the opportunity to achieve a hat trick of event wins in the Autumn League if he maintained his current form. However the CorkO AGM which was taking place after the event brought a few talented orienteers to the event and one of these managed to deny Jens his orienteering hat trick. Darren Burke was up from Kerry for the event and demonstrated some very cunning and fast running to take the event win. He had a very convincing win when he completed the 4.4km course in a time of 26:35. Runner up on the night was Donogh Wall who punched all 22 controls in a time of 29:59. Jens Waechter had to settle for third place having finished in a time of 31:11.

The fastest Lady around the Long course on Tuesday night was Elaine Sheridan she completed the course in a time of 43:37. Eibhlin Cleary was runner up on the night having traversed the park in a time of 45:09. Sinead O’Donoghue took the final podium spot when she punched the finish in time of 46:57.

On the 2.5km Short course Billy Caball was the event winner. He completed the course in a time of 27:25. Not far behind him was our Short course runner up Rebecca Dwyer. She punched all 10 controls in a time of 27:58. Two Bosonnet siblings battled it out for the final podium spot and just three seconds separated them at the finish control. Chiara just piped her brother Isaac when she completed the course in a time of 28:37.

Well done to all who participated. Full individual results with split times are available here:

Thanks to John Scannell for planning the event and to Robert O’Connor for assisting on the night. Thanks also to Zac O’Sullivan-Hourihan and Paul O’Sullivan for assisting with control collection.

Thanks also to Cork County Council for granting us access to this wonderful amenity to stage our event.

The next event in our Autumn League will take place on Sunday September 18th in the beautiful surrounds of Doneraile Park. This event will be the 11th Annual Cliona Callanan Memorial Orienteering and all proceeds on the day will go to the Cork Children's Leukaemia Association. Come along any time between 10.00am and 1.00pm. Why not bring a picnic or enjoy the Tea Rooms and don't forget the playground! Further directions and park info can be found here:www.corko.net/doneraile-forest-park

Hope you can join us on our northern adventure and help support a very worthy cause.